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English lesson plan · 6th grade (Year 7 in England) · 45 minutes

Combining sentences with conjunctions

Writing & Editing

CCSS L.6.3.ACCSS W.6.2.CEngland: KS3 Writing (sentence variety)England: GCSE English Language (AO6 sentence structures)

Objective and success criteria

Students will: Combining sentences with conjunctions.

  • I can answer questions on today's skill on my own, without help.
  • I can explain each step and say why it works.
  • I can check my answer and spot a mistake.

Before and after

Needs first: Conjunctions: coordinating and subordinating

Leads to: Transitions: matching the word to the relationship; Combining sentences with appositives and participle phrases

Materials: A model text, Planning frame, Checklists for editing, Mini whiteboards, A short model text on the board, Printed student sheet (below).

Warm-up · 5 min

  • Quick retrieval from earlier learning (Conjunctions: coordinating and subordinating). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
  • Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.
  1. Choose the conjunction that makes the most sense. Brush your teeth ___ you go to bed. (although / so / unless / before) → beforePrompt: Read the two parts of the sentence. How are they linked?
  2. Which word or phrase is the subordinating conjunction? We waited until the rain stopped. (waited / rain / stopped / until) → untilPrompt: A subordinating conjunction starts a clause that cannot stand on its own.
  3. Choose the conjunction that makes the most sense. I will lend you my bike ___ you look after it. (if / although / but / until) → ifPrompt: Read the two parts of the sentence. How are they linked?

Hook · 5 min

  • Show two openings to the same piece of writing and ask which makes them want to read on.
  • Share the objective: Combining sentences with conjunctions. Read the success criteria together.

I do: model it · 10 min

  • Work through the example out loud, saying why you do each step, not just what you do.
  • Example: I studied hard. I didn't pass the test. Which choice combines the sentences most clearly?
  • Step 1: Choose the conjunction that shows the real relationship between the ideas.
  • Step 2: The result is unexpected, so a contrast word ('but') fits.
  • Step 3: So the answer is: I studied hard, but I didn't pass the test.
  • Answer: I studied hard, but I didn't pass the test.
  • Pause after each step and ask a student to say what comes next.

We do: guided practice · 10 min

  • Do these together. Students try each step on whiteboards before you reveal it.
  • Use the hints as prompts rather than giving the answer.
  1. The film ended. Everyone clapped. Which choice combines the sentences most clearly? (The film ended, or everyone clapped. / Unless the film ended, everyone clapped. / When the film ended, everyone clapped. / Although the film ended, everyone clapped.) → When the film ended, everyone clapped.Prompt: What is the relationship between the two ideas: addition, contrast, cause, condition, choice or time?
  2. Choose the word that joins the ideas as described in brackets. ___ the tickets sold out, we watched the concert online. (show cause) (Until / Unless / Because / Although) → BecausePrompt: Read the instruction in brackets: contrast, result, cause, condition, time or addition?

You do: independent practice · 10 min

  • Students work on the student sheet. Circulate and check the first two answers of every student early.
  • Students who finish: write a question of their own for a partner, with the answer.

The 8 questions are on the student sheet below, with answers in the key.

Exit ticket · 5 min

  • Two questions on their own. Sort answers into got it / nearly / not yet to plan the next lesson.
  1. You water the seeds. They won't grow. Which choice combines the sentences most clearly? (You water the seeds, so they won't grow. / Because you water the seeds, they won't grow. / Although you water the seeds, they won't grow. / Unless you water the seeds, they won't grow.) → Unless you water the seeds, they won't grow.Prompt: What is the relationship between the two ideas: addition, contrast, cause, condition, choice or time?
  2. Choose the word that joins the ideas as described in brackets. Wait here ___ I find the keys. (show time) (because / or / until / although) → untilPrompt: Read the instruction in brackets: contrast, result, cause, condition, time or addition?

Watch out for

  • Writing everything at once without planning.
  • Editing only spelling and not whether the writing makes sense.

Support and stretch

Support

  • Review first: Conjunctions: coordinating and subordinating.
  • Use concrete materials: a model text.
  • Give the first step of each question, or a partly worked example to finish.
  • Pair with a confident partner for the guided practice.

Stretch

  • Move on to: Transitions: matching the word to the relationship; Combining sentences with appositives and participle phrases.
  • Explain a common mistake in writing and how to fix it.
  • Write a word problem that uses today's skill, then solve a partner's.

Homework and more practice

Free online practice with hints and printable worksheets for this skill: eurekami.com/english/grade-6.

Free lesson plan from eurekami.com/lesson-plan-builder

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Combining sentences with conjunctions

Name

Date

Score/ 8

  1. Question 1

    Choose the word that joins the ideas as described in brackets. ___ the tickets sold out, we watched the concert online. (show cause)

    • A. Unless
    • B. Until
    • C. Because
    • D. Although

  2. Question 2

    You water the seeds. They won't grow. Which choice combines the sentences most clearly?

    • A. Although you water the seeds, they won't grow.
    • B. You water the seeds, so they won't grow.
    • C. Unless you water the seeds, they won't grow.
    • D. Because you water the seeds, they won't grow.

  3. Question 3

    Choose the word that joins the ideas as described in brackets. You can join the team ___ you come to practice. (show condition)

    • A. although
    • B. if
    • C. so
    • D. but

  4. Question 4

    I studied hard. I didn't pass the test. Which choice combines the sentences most clearly?

    • A. I studied hard, and so I didn't pass the test.
    • B. Because I studied hard, I didn't pass the test.
    • C. I studied hard, but I didn't pass the test.
    • D. I studied hard, so I didn't pass the test.

  5. Question 5

    Choose the word that joins the ideas as described in brackets. It started to rain. ___ we kept walking. (show contrast)

    • A. Even so,
    • B. Therefore,
    • C. For example,
    • D. Similarly,

  6. Question 6

    The film ended. Everyone clapped. Which choice combines the sentences most clearly?

    • A. When the film ended, everyone clapped.
    • B. Unless the film ended, everyone clapped.
    • C. The film ended, or everyone clapped.
    • D. Although the film ended, everyone clapped.

  7. Question 7

    Choose the word that joins the ideas as described in brackets. I love the sea, ___ I get seasick on boats. (show contrast)

    • A. because
    • B. yet
    • C. and
    • D. so

  8. Question 8

    Choose the word that joins the ideas as described in brackets. The plan was cheap ___ quick to set up. (show addition)

    • A. so
    • B. but
    • C. or
    • D. and

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Answer key: Combining sentences with conjunctions

  1. 1. C. Because

  2. 2. C. Unless you water the seeds, they won't grow.

  3. 3. B. if

  4. 4. C. I studied hard, but I didn't pass the test.

  5. 5. A. Even so,

  6. 6. A. When the film ended, everyone clapped.

  7. 7. B. yet

  8. 8. D. and